Asheville

[Acymetric]

I'm staying in Asheville Friday night, looking for apartments and checking out some other things. Does anybody have any suggestions for a good local type restaurant somewhere in Asheville, maybe in the downtown area or something? Thanks!

[CameronBornAndBred]

Pick up a Moutain eXpress (similar to The Independent) when you are there, has all of the local events and happenings for the week. Also, see who is playing at the Orange Peel, good music. There are tons of hole in the wall restaurants downtown, I don't have a favorite but you can't miss with any of them.

[CLT Devil]

5 Bones - Best BBQ in the state (arguably)

Sunny Point on Haywood Rd has some of the best breakfast I've ever had.

Downtown - A nice restaurant to go to is Limones...it's on a little side street so you might have to ask around. Best place to get a beer IMO is Jack of the Wood. If you want a good lunch place that's got a unique menu check out Salsa's...on one of the corners of the main square downtown. Also, for late night beers check out the Bier Garden.

It's a lot of fun to just walk around after dinner and go into any place that looks like fun...Hannah Flannagans is a personal favorite...Grey Eagle and Orange Peel are not DTown but usually have great music.

My bro lives up there and I used to...great city.

[grad_devil]

5 Bones - Best BBQ in the state (arguably)

Do you mean 12 Bones in the River District? It's only open for lunch, and you best be prepared to wait in line :). I agree with CLT Devil that it's worth the wait, IMHO.


Sunny Point on Haywood Rd has some of the best breakfast I've ever had.
I agree here, too. Would also recommend The Moose Cafe, near the Farmer's Market.


<snip>...Orange Peel are not DTown but usually have great music.</snip>
Orange Peel not downtown? It's on Biltmore Ave...I guess I still consider that downtown. It's within walking distance of Jack of the Wood, which you also listed as downtown.

What types of fare interest you, Acymetric?

--grad_devil

[fadero]

You should check out the Chrismas Jam, it's going on Friday and Saturday night. Warren Haines annual Chrismas concert....Allman Brothers, Michael Franti, Joan Osborne ,John Paul Jones , Del McCoury, Ben Harper Travis Tritt and many others... oh and of course Govt. Mule. The Rennasaince is a nice hotel.

[Acymetric]

Do you mean 12 Bones in the River District? It's only open for lunch, and you best be prepared to wait in line :). I agree with CLT Devil that it's worth the wait, IMHO.


I agree here, too. Would also recommend The Moose Cafe, near the Farmer's Market.


Orange Peel not downtown? It's on Biltmore Ave...I guess I still consider that downtown. It's within walking distance of Jack of the Wood, which you also listed as downtown.

What types of fare interest you, Acymetric?

--grad_devil

Oh, I don't know. Any good (not super expensive) restaurants that are local to the Asheville area. Some good BBQ is always nice, but I like all kinds of food so I'll take any suggestions and pick whatever sounds best (or is most convenient). Good music venues for the evening/night are welcome too.

Five months from now I'd be asking about the best bars, but alas, for now I have to settle for food.


You should check out the Chrismas Jam, it's going on Friday and Saturday night. Warren Haines annual Chrismas concert....Allman Brothers, Michael Franti, Joan Osborne ,John Paul Jones , Del McCoury, Ben Harper Travis Tritt and many others... oh and of course Govt. Mule. The Rennasaince is a nice hotel.

Is it tough to get tickets to that at this point? I'm definitely hoping to find some good music for Friday night, either local or something like that.

Oh, and thanks everyone else for the suggestions!

[CameronBornAndBred]

Is it tough to get tickets to that at this point? I'm definitely hoping to find some good music for Friday night, either local or something like that.


Call and see, but when I lived up there it sold out way in advance. Cool to hear it's still going on. I never got tix, but always heard what a great fun show it was.

[fadero]

I do not think it's sold out. Google Christmas Jam....I paid $55.00 for each night...which is a bargain. Last years show which was one night only...started at 7 and went until 2:30 am. If you like good jam with multiple artists playing together it's a must show.

[Acymetric]

I do not think it's sold out. Google Christmas Jam....I paid $55.00 for each night...which is a bargain. Last years show which was one night only...started at 7 and went until 2:30 am. If you like good jam with multiple artists playing together it's a must show.

Yep, still tickets available. I don't have $110 (really I don't have $55) and I was only planning on staying through Saturday afternoon anyway, so I'll probably pick up Friday tickets. Sounds like an awesome show!

[grad_devil]

Here are a few of my favorite Asheville restaurants:

Tupelo Honeys: www.tupelohoneycafe.com

Doc Chey's Noodle House: www.doccheys.com

Apollo Flame: www.apolloflame.com

Barley's Taproom (great pizza and beer): www.barleystaproom.com

Grove Park Inn ($$$$)

The Laughing Seed (vegetarian & vegan fare):www.laughingseed.com

I've heard good things about The Fiddlin' Pig (http://www.thefiddlinpig.com/), but haven't yet been.

These are just a few that come to mind off the bat. I realize how much I eat @ chain restaurants!

--grad_devil

[edensquad]

We usually start out at Sante Wine Bar for apps and a glass of wine... great selection. Then, on to Zambra for dinner; it is a tapas restaurant, and it is fantastic. On weekends, they have live music (jazz or flamenco when we've been there). For breakfast the next day, it's the Early Girl Cafe.

Vincenzo's is our fave Italian in Asheville.... man, this making me want to head back there! :D

[wilson]

Barley's is a great pizza joint downtown, with good fresh dough and all that. Great beer list too...it's where I discovered the Magic Hat line, and I always make a point of having a Mt. Pisgah Brown Bear ale.
And yes, the Orange Peel is most definitely downtown.

[2535Miles]

I've always wanted to go check out Robert Moog's Moog Music. He's the father of the Moog Synthesizer. A person cannot have enough theremins in his life.

[summerwind03]

I'm a vegetarian, so I'm biased, but I love the Laughing Seed. It's a very cool, casual place and you'd be forced to try something new and interesting. Have fun.

[Dr. Rosenrosen]

Seconded on Tupelo Honey. It's really a breakfast joint. Another great choice for breakfast is the Early Girl Eatery.

We went to Cafe on the Square for dinner a couple years ago. It was a great and moderately priced meal. It has changed hands but looks to have maintained a lot of the same great dishes such as their Mountain Trout Dip. Mmmmmm.

[devildeac]

Reading this thread closely as we'll be in Asheville 1/23-1/25 for a big band/swing dance weekend and will need a place to eat and quench our thirsts on arrival on Friday evening:D.

The early leader may be Barley's Taproom. Hmm, wonder why...

[fadero]

2008 CHRISTMAS JAM - NIGHT ONE SETLIST (12.12.08)

GOV'T MULE
Brighter Days
Like Flies
Bad Little Doggie
Blind Man In The Dark
Sco-Mule w/ Tal Wilkenfeld on Bass and Robben Ford on Guitar
Fallen Down w/ Karl Denson

IVAN NEVILLE'S DUMPSTAPHUNK
Gasman
Mean While
She's Music
Livin In A World Gone Bad w/ Matt Grondin & Karl Denson
Badboy w/ Warren Haynes & Eric Krasno
Thank You Falletime Be Mice Elf w/ Tal Wilkenfeld, Eric Krasno, Warren Haynes, Danny Louis

DEL MCCOURY BAND
1952 Vincent Black Lightning
Squirrel Hunter w/ John Paul Jones
Little Georgia Rose w/ Travis Tritt
Old Kentucky Shore w/ Joan & Travis Tritt
My Love Will Not Change w/ John Paul Jones
Celebrate w/ The Lee Boys

JOAN OSBORNE
To The One I Love
Hallelujah
Cathedrals
Help Me w/ Warren Haynes
Christmas Time In New Orleans w/ Ron Holloway

TRAVIS TRITT
Homesick
Leave My Girl Alone
I Walk The Line
Pickin' At It
Anymore
Pressure is One w/ Warren Haynes
Movin On Ovfer w/ Warren Haynes

WARREN HAYNES & JOHN PAUL JONES
Soulshine
Going To California

THE DEREK TRUCKS BAND
Down In THe Flood
These Days
Can't Sleep At Night w/ Susan Tedeschi
People
Anyday w/ Susan Tedeschi & Eric Krasno

ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND
Don't Want You
Cross To Bear
Gilded Splinters
Statesboro Blues
Stone Me w/ JJ Grey
Who's Been Talking w/ Robben Ford & Ivan Neville
Dreams w/ Karl Denson
Liz Reed w/ Tal Wilkenfeld
The Weight w/ Ron Holloway, Danny Louis, Susan Tedeschi, Joan Osborne, Ruthie Foster
Mountain Jam Intro
Dazed & Confused w/ John Paul Jones
Mountain Jam w/ John Paul Jones

ENCORE
One Way Out w/ Roosevelt Collier & JJ Grey

[fadero]

Round two comming Saturday night, best $55.00 I have spent in a long time.

[fadero]

The show started at 7:oo pm and ended at 4:15 am

[Acymetric]

2008 CHRISTMAS JAM - NIGHT ONE SETLIST (12.12.08)

GOV'T MULE
Brighter Days
Like Flies
Bad Little Doggie
Blind Man In The Dark
Sco-Mule w/ Tal Wilkenfeld on Bass and Robben Ford on Guitar
Fallen Down w/ Karl Denson

IVAN NEVILLE'S DUMPSTAPHUNK
Gasman
Mean While
She's Music
Livin In A World Gone Bad w/ Matt Grondin & Karl Denson
Badboy w/ Warren Haynes & Eric Krasno
Thank You Falletime Be Mice Elf w/ Tal Wilkenfeld, Eric Krasno, Warren Haynes, Danny Louis

DEL MCCOURY BAND
1952 Vincent Black Lightning
Squirrel Hunter w/ John Paul Jones
Little Georgia Rose w/ Travis Tritt
Old Kentucky Shore w/ Joan & Travis Tritt
My Love Will Not Change w/ John Paul Jones
Celebrate w/ The Lee Boys

JOAN OSBORNE
To The One I Love
Hallelujah
Cathedrals
Help Me w/ Warren Haynes
Christmas Time In New Orleans w/ Ron Holloway

TRAVIS TRITT
Homesick
Leave My Girl Alone
I Walk The Line
Pickin' At It
Anymore
Pressure is One w/ Warren Haynes
Movin On Ovfer w/ Warren Haynes

WARREN HAYNES & JOHN PAUL JONES
Soulshine
Going To California

THE DEREK TRUCKS BAND
Down In THe Flood
These Days
Can't Sleep At Night w/ Susan Tedeschi
People
Anyday w/ Susan Tedeschi & Eric Krasno

ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND
Don't Want You
Cross To Bear
Gilded Splinters
Statesboro Blues
Stone Me w/ JJ Grey
Who's Been Talking w/ Robben Ford & Ivan Neville
Dreams w/ Karl Denson
Liz Reed w/ Tal Wilkenfeld
The Weight w/ Ron Holloway, Danny Louis, Susan Tedeschi, Joan Osborne, Ruthie Foster
Mountain Jam Intro
Dazed & Confused w/ John Paul Jones
Mountain Jam w/ John Paul Jones

ENCORE
One Way Out w/ Roosevelt Collier & JJ Grey

Unfortunately I won't make it back for the second night, but the first night was a blast! Be sure to let me know how Coheed & Cambria fits in. I'm curious how they are live, especially in a concert that doesn't really fit their music style.

Biggest surprise of the first night? Travis Tritt was sick! I figured he would be a dud (never listened to his stuff, pegged him as a standard country guy), but he had some cool stuff. That instrumental "Pickin' At It" was awesome. Here's a live clip (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnljEnDhHi0) from another show, only 40 seconds long, and the only audio or video of it I can find...if anyone knows where I can get my hands on a full length version, let me know! I doubt you'll find it though, I looked all over the place.

[CameronBornAndBred]

Biggest surprise of the first night? Travis Tritt was sick! I figured he would be a dud (never listened to his stuff, pegged him as a standard country guy), but he had some cool stuff.
Some country acts have really caught me off guard with live shows. I haven't seen many, but the one that stands out was Dwight Yoakam. He opened for the Grateful Dead at RFK, wearing black leather pants while it was 90 degrees outside. We all saw that and figured this was doomed from the start, but he put on a great set, even including a pretty cool cover of "Truckin". Good to hear you enjoyed the show, looking forward to seeing what tonight's set list is.

[fadero]

WARREN HAYNES & RUTHIE FOSTER
Grinnin' In Your Face

XMAS JAM BAND (Audley Freed, Jen Gunderman, Buddy Cage, Kevn Kinney, Fiddle Dave, Robert Kearns, Edwin McCain, Mickey Raphael)
Blues on Top of Blues
Straight To Hell
Free Fallin w/ Patterson Hood
Dreams To Remember w/ Joan Osborne & Horns*
TCB w/ Robben Ford, Joan Osborne, Eric Krasno & Horns
Chain of Fools w/ Ruithie Foster, Robben Ford, Joan Osborne, Karl Denson, Ron Holloway, Eric Krasno
When Something Is Wrong With My Baby w/ Joan Osborne & Warren Haynes & Horns
Tumblin' Dice w/ Ruthie Foster

STEVE EARLE
Copperhead Road
Christmas In Washington
My Old Friend The Blues
Guitar Town w/ Warren Haynes
Gotta Serve Somebody w/ Warren Haynes, Steve Earle, Joan Osborne, Travis Tritt & Ruthie Foster
Brand New Companion w/ Mickey Raphael & Warren Haynes

JOHNNY WINTER
Paul Nelson Jam (Intro)
Hideaway
I Used To Love Her, But It's All Over Now w/ Warren Haynes
Mojo Boogie

COHEED AND CAMBIRA
No World For Tomorrow
Gravemakers & Gunslingers
Mothert Superior
Favor House Atlantis (Acoustic)
I Shall Be Releases w/ Warren Haynes
Welcome Home w/ Warren Haynes

MICHAEL FRANTI & JAY BOWMAN
Love Don't Wait w/ John Paul Jones, Robben Ford & Mickey Raphael
Sweet Little Lies w/ John Paul Jones, Robben Ford & Mickey Raphael
All I Want Is You w/ John Paul Jones, Robben Ford, Mickey Raphael & Eric Krasno
Hey World w/ w/ John Paul Jones, Robben Ford & Mickey Raphael & Eric Kranso
I Got Love For You w/ John Paul Jones, Robben Ford & Mickey Raphael & Ron
Holloway
Say Hey

BEN HARPER & RELENTLESS7
Number No Name
Shimmer
Lay There
Better Way
Fly 1 Time
Keep It Together
Dressed In Black
Boots
Up To You Now
Good Times w/ John Paul Jones

GOV'T MULE
Southern Man w/ Patterson Hood
Lively Up Yourself w/ Karl Denson & Robben Ford
Livin' Lovin' Maid w/ John Paul Jones
Since I've Been Loving You
No Quarter w/ John Paul Jones on Keys & Audley Freed
The Ocean w/ John Paul Jones on Bass, Ben Harper & Mike Barnes
When The Levee Breaks w/ Ben Harper & John Paul Jones on Bass

show ended about 3:15 am

[fadero]

I left off "simple man" warren with travis tritt. They nailed it.

[CameronBornAndBred]

Thanks very much for the update, sounds like a great weekend. I don't miss the mountains often, but the music scene was incredible.

[Acymetric]

Thanks very much for the update, sounds like a great weekend. I don't miss the mountains often, but the music scene was incredible.

Do you (or anyone else) know much about what goes on in the Burlington-Greensboro area? I'm trying to decide between there and Asheville. Nobody I've talked to so far knows anything about any good stuff in Greensboro, so I don't take that as a good sign of an fun exciting place, but I might just be talking to the wrong people...

[2535Miles]

Do you (or anyone else) know much about what goes on in the Burlington-Greensboro area? I'm trying to decide between there and Asheville. Nobody I've talked to so far knows anything about any good stuff in Greensboro, so I don't take that as a good sign of an fun exciting place, but I might just be talking to the wrong people...
It's been a long time since I was active in the music scene in NC, but when I was in high school (91-95) there were a few hardcore bands out of Greensboro but nothing that I can remember worth bragging about. Asheville's music scene was (probably still is) very diverse but was inundated with hippie/jam-band stuff. I have no idea what it's like these days.

I can't comment much about Greensboro outside of the music scene. My old company was based out of Greensboro and I always remember hating the days where I had to drive up there for meetings.

[CameronBornAndBred]

CNN has an article (http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Music/12/23/christmas.jam/index.html) up about Warren Haynes and the history of the jam.